u/FictionalNape

This has easily been the hardest year of my life.

It started with a hernia that I got lifting a guitar cabinet by myself. After surgery came pneumonia that made it really hard to breathe. Then I landed in the ER three times in one weekend because of a kidney stone that perforated my ureter and caused me to start going septic. All the while, I was trying different medications to get my arrhythmia under control.

Every time I thought I was finally getting better, something else happened.

Through all of it, my amazing wife Courtney (who is the vocalist/bassist in our metal band) never left my side. She drove me to the ER, stayed with me through everything, took care of me when I couldn't take care of myself, and kept reminding me that I'd get back on my feet and we'd play on stage together soon enough.

Because of everything, we had to cancel six shows this year. But she helped me get through all the pain and tears so we could enjoy one of the things we both love so much, playing live music together!

I could not imagine my life not being able to play music with her, let alone just my life without her!

We are a two-piece (that recently brought in a drummer officially) sludge/doom band that makes sci-fi horror themed metal.

It's been a rough year to say the least. I (David, guitarist) feel like I've been hit from all angles trying to get better, with a hernia that I gave myself lifting a guitar cab I shouldn't have by myself. Then pneumonia that made breathing really hard. Followed by 3 ER visits in a weekend with a kidney stone that perforated my ureter, causing me to start to go septic. All the while, my heart was giving me fits with irregular heartbeats caused by arrhythmia.

I don't think I could have made it, and I definitely don't think I would be here today without Courteny (bass player/vocalist) taking me to the ER and just generally taking care of me in my time of need.

Anyway, this is the first time on stage after 6 cancelled shows since January due to all the issues I was having. Just when I thought I was on the upswing, I would be hit with something else.

Our band is Azell, and the video posted is our song SCUD, which is a tribute to Bongripper.

On top of all that, I again just want to thank the amazing community here who have always been so supportive and kind. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

All dressed up and wanting to record some doom for our band Azell. The song is titled, Waves of Remembrance from our album Astralis.

My wonderful wife in her new dress to play through the opening riff from our song 'From the Womb of Oblivion' off our last album, Astralis. Our band is Azell.

My wife playing the opening riff from our song, The End is Inevitable from our band Azell.